JOURNAL GAZETTE & TIMES-COURIER PAGE 8 | STUDIES
FOR A BETTER WORLD | APRIL 2010
BREAKING DOWN TO BUILD UP Turning plant materials into chemicals, biofuels goal of research at Eastern By GOPAL PERIYANNAN Professor, EIU Department of Chemistry
As local farmers go about the task of spring planting, few realize that research taking place in a nearby laboratory may, eventually, help put a few extra dollars in their pockets. Gopal Periyannan, a chemistry professor at Eastern Illinois University, believes that certain dead plant materials — corn stalks, for example, or even saw dust — can be broken down into useful chemicals for the manufacturing of items such as plastics or biofuel products. In addition, he believes the conversions can be done at a microbiological level, allowing the procedure to be done with minimal energy and with few, if any, chemicals. “It would be an economical and environmentally friendly process,” Periyannan said. “And a process that could add to the economical value of a crop.” It’s not a new idea. Accord-
Gopal Periyannan tive research by early career scientists, both individually and in teams crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Cottrell College Science Award has the added goal of promoting the opportunity for undergraduate stu-
I think the long-term implications of our research could be significant. Especially given the increased need and interest for renewable resources.
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ing to Periyannan, scientists worldwide have been actively pursuing this field of study for some time. In fact, he and many of his students have worked on their portion of the research for at least two years, he added. And that research recently resulted in a $41,175 Single Investigator Cottrell College Science Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. RCSA, created in 1912, is America’s second-oldest foundation and the first dedicated solely to science. Through its various programs, RCSA funds innova-
dents to participate in cutting-edge research and experience that gives them a head start in learning to think like scientists. The foundation’s goal is to build and improve the scientific workforce to ensure 21stcentury America’s prosperity and security. “The funding has a strong educational component of research,” Periyannan said. “It allows us to provide research opportunities to our students, including two paid summer internships.” Matthew Payea, a chemistry major from Naperville, appreciates such opportuni-
KAHLER Continued from 7 I was devastated, but I looked him in the eye and asked, “Then why don’t you let me into drawing with the understanding I will take 2-D in the spring?” He had a very curious look and asked to see if I had any portfolio with me to prove my worth to be bumped forward. Luckily for me, he thought I might be up to the challenge and was willing to take the gamble. Marty turned out to be my mentor for four years, and he changed the course of my life. When I went on to Northwestern University for my MFA degree, I had the amazing opportunity to be mentored by Ed Paschke, William Conger and James Valerio. They had vastly different interests and styles of working with a common link of contagious optimism in the potential of painting. After graduating from Northwestern, I went out to the Vermont Studio Center for a threemonth residency that proved to be a turning point in my artwork. I then moved to New York City and got a job at an architecture firm scanning images for the marketing department. Within a few weeks, the head of the graphic design department started asking me to help with small projects; within a few months, I was a full-time graphic designer for the firm. Within a year, I was the marketing coordinator for the office, designing all of the brochures, etc., for the company. The problem was, I missed being a full-time artist, and teaching still was on my mind. I applied to an open position at EIU and arrived in Charleston with an annually contracted job. My first year at EIU was very exciting, but nerve-wracking due to the uncertainty of a job the following school year. Meanwhile, the firm I worked for in NYC offered me a job as the marketing manager of the firm and gave me triple the salary I was making at EIU. This was a life-changing decision, but I had faith in my career as an artist/educator. Yes, it was a tough choice, but I know it was
ties. He admitted that he didn’t expect to work so closely with his professors when he first came to Eastern. “I always thought that was something reserved for students at research-oriented institutions like UIUC (University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign),” he said. And now, having experienced the one-on-one learning opportunity, “I wouldn’t trade any of it.” “It’s a great experience,” Payea added. “As a student in the field of bio-chemistry, I appreciate this chance to work with Dr. Periyannan and others to learn the technology and skills that will help me in my ‘real life.’ I’m learning much more than I ever could in just a traditional classroom environment. “It’s a form of integrative learning that will help me become a much better chemist,” he said. Periyannan noted that some students actually get to present their findings before audiences at scientific conferences and other events. Payea recently presented his research at the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research. In addition to the educational advantages such presentations provide, it also proves how relevant the research is to the scientific world at large. “I think the long-term implications of our research could be significant,” he said. “Especially given the increased need and interest for renewable resources.” Periyannan doesn’t expect any quick completion to his research, or that of the subject as a whole. For example, scientists still need to determine the long-term impact of removing residual corn stalks from working fields. “The soil obtains some of its nutrients from decaying plant materials,” he said. “We need to determine how the removal of that plant material might affect subsequent crops.”
Uncertainty is part of the game, but having faith in your abilities and moving forward no matter how difficult it gets is what separates you from the crowd.
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the right one. I am in my 11th year of teaching at EIU, and I have the best of both worlds. The past few years have been incredibly fortunate for my art career. This past October, I had my third solo show at Bruno David Gallery in St Louis. It got a lot of local critical attention and culminated in my first review in Art in America, arguably one of the best art magazines in the world. It has been a life goal for me to get in that magazine, and I am hoping that I am able to continue on this path. The success of this show has earned me the attention of a new contemporary art gallery opening in Sante Fe, N.M., this summer. I will be having a solo show opening the end of August, and then a solo show in Orlando, Fla., in January. As artists, we are required to be incredibly selfish, and we have demanding schedules. The artwork does not make itself, and we have responsibilities to our job and families. It is a juggling act that can be very overwhelming at times, but very rewarding. I am very fortunate to have an amazingly supportive wife and daughter. Teaching and being an active artist offers me the opportunity to not only pursue my career goals, but also mentor students to follow their life goals and mature as artists. Uncertainty is part of the game, but having faith in your abilities and moving forward no matter how difficult it gets is what separates you from the crowd.